I'm looking for a way to get training in trapping, banding, handling passerines to facilitate a research project on local sparrows here in southern Minnesota. I'm a new faculty at Gustavus Adolphus College and have taken part in banding studies but not enough to feel confident in my abilities, nor enough to get a banding permit from the USFWS. Do any of you have suggestions as to where / how I can get formal or informal training? I've found a couple banding classes advertised on the web (one in NY, one in CA). Anything local that any of you know about? I appreciate any pointers you might be able to give.
Please reply to me and I'll post a summary of responses if there's interest on the list. Thanks, Jon -- Jon Grinnell Department of Biology Gustavus Adolphus College 800 W. College Avenue St. Peter, MN 56082 USA Phone: 507-933-7332 Fax: 507-933-6285